Apprentices Help Build The Education State

The Andrews Labor Government’s unprecedented school building program is giving Victorian apprentices, trainees and cadets an opportunity to shine.

Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll and Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson today visited the new Beaumaris Secondary College site and met the apprentices helping to bring the project to life.

The $26.8 million school build is part of the Labor Government’s record infrastructure spend which is creating meaningful career opportunities in the building and construction industry.

Around 25 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets are working on site at Beaumaris – together they will complete more than 8,000 labour hours thanks to the Government’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.

The Guarantee requires contractors on public projects valued at more than $20 million to use apprentices, trainees or engineering cadets for at least 10 per cent of total labour hours.

The policy has been applied to a further 36 major government projects, creating more than 1,700 employment opportunities for young people.

An additional 59 major projects worth more than $48 billion will be applying the Guarantee over the next two years.

The new school will accommodate 650 students – Years 7 to 12 – with state-of-the-art sporting facilities which will be shared by the college, the Melbourne Cricket Club’s sporting teams and local sporting groups.

Beaumaris Secondary College is due to open in 2018.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Industry and Employment Ben Carroll

“Whether it’s building our schools, roads or hospitals, the Andrews Labor Government is backing apprentices, trainees and cadets to shape our major projects.”

“The young people employed on the Beaumaris Secondary College development are getting the skills and experience they need to flourish in their future careers.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Education James Merlino

“We’re building a brand new secondary college in Beaumaris and giving students the safe, modern and comfortable classrooms that they need to learn.”

Quote attributable to Minister for Training and Skills Gayle Tierney

“It’s so important apprentices have every opportunity possible to get the real skills they need for the jobs they want – that’s exactly what’s happening at Beaumaris Secondary College.”

Quote attributable to Member for Mordialloc Tim Richardson

“A stand-alone secondary school for the Beaumaris area is a great outcome for local families and for the young workers looking to kickstart their careers.”